Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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This invention relates in general to closure devices and in
particular to container closure devices which are secured around a
container opening and include a collapsihle, flexible spout, a
tamper-proof seal and resealable cap.
The evolution of present-day container closure devices of a type
similar to that disclosed by the present invention can be traced
from as early as the mid 1940's by a review of the developments and
improvements which are disclosed in the following chronologically
arranged list of patents.
U. S. Patent No. PatenteeIssue Date
2,561,596 Rieke 7/24/51
2,565,699 Rieke 8/28/51
2,661,128 Rieke 12/01/53
2,895,654 Rieke 7/2I/59
3,040,938 Smith 6/26/62
3,604,740 Summers 9/14/71
3,613,966 Summers 10/19/71
3,804,305 Rieke 4/16/74
Rieke ('596) discloses a pouring spout which is nestable within
a container and is extendable to a pouring orientation and
contractable to a nested orientation. The spout is initially
disposed in a closed arrangement by an integral portion which must
be cut or slit in order to allow the contents to be poured from the
container. The outer periphery of the pouring spout is secured to
the container opening by means of a clamping ring of light metal
which is readily deformed by a hand-operable crimping tool.
Rieke ('699) discloses a flexible, retractable dispensing spout
normally nestable within a container and mounted in an opening
therein. A junction portion signifies the point of union between
the outer cap member, which forms the base of the extended spout,
and the inner spout portion. The spout is sealed by a closure
portion comprising a seal which is located immediately contiguous to
the junction portion. The seal includes an integral pull member
which extends upwardly from the seal and is located quite close to
the inside surface of the spout portion. Removal of the seal is
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accomplished by the use oE a tool, such as pliers, which have a
suitable narrow-nose design in order to be able to grip the pull
member without interfering with the inside surface of the spout
portion.
Rieke ('128) is a continuation-in-par~ patent of patents Rieke
('5963 and Rieke ('699) and further discloses a tamper- and
seal-proof flexible pouring spout. A tamper-indicating seal is
disposed over the end of the spout and may include a semi-severed,
tear-out portion which must first be removed in order for the
tamper-seal indicator to be removed. Alternatively, this
tamper-indicating seal may be removed by a prying action. Disposed
within the spout opening at the uppermost end is an integral plug
which is joined to the inside periphery of the spout by means of an
annular weakened junction which must be severed with a knife in
order to open the spout.
Rieke ('654) discloses a bail handled closure cap of a character
to be internally threaded for screw threading into closing position
upon an externally threaded member, such as a container neck, spout
or the like. The bail is connected with the cap through opposed and
substantially diametrically extending bosses by means of suitable
hinged arrangements.
Smith discloses a vented pour spout wherein a venting unit is
rigidly secured to the inside surface of a flexible pour spout, of
the type disclosed by the prior listed patents. This venting unit
permits the entry of air into the container so as to enable a
smooth, continuous flow of fluid from the container by way of the
pour spout.
Summers ('740) discloses a container closure combination which
is anchored into a container opening by means of a boss and circular
anchor ring. The container is plastic and the boss includes an
upwardly protruding lip which is sandwiched within an inverted
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U-shaped annular portion of the closure. The anchoring ring is
disposed about the annular portion and when crimped together holds
the members together. This arrangement precludes any separation or
leakage at the closure, thereby overcoming typical cold flow
characteristics of those plastics which are usually employed in such
arrangements.
Summers ('966) discloses a nestable pouring spout with a
wall-supporting cap of the style that includes an elongated skirt
portion. This elongated skirt portion extends coaxially with the
neck and body portions of the spout to a point near the intersection
of these two portions. The space between the neck portion and body
portion at this intersection-location is large enough to permit easy
removal of the cap and is small enough to permit the skirt portion
to support the body portion and avoid stress cracking due to
unrestrained movement of the body portion in response to internal
container pressure.
Rieke ('305) discloses a container closure concept which
includes a flanged overseal closure member having a central cap
portion, an intermediate portion and a rim portion.
While each of these prior art devices has its own certain
improvements and advantages, the structure required to achieve one
set of improvements is not necessarily compatible with the structure
required to achieve another, different set of improvements. When
one aspect or portion of a part is revised in an effort to achieve
an added improvement, the revision may alter or adversely influence
other, alreadly-achieved improvements and prevent the attainment of
both improvements simultaneously. Heretofore, there has not been a
structural combination realized which is suitable to achieve all of
the various improvements of the seven listed patents. However, the
present invention by incorporating a number of component and
structural changes, does in fact provide a complete combination of
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structural feature improvements as well as providing yet further improvements
to the overall container closure cap concept as will be apparent from the
following description.
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a
cap-like closure device for a container of the type including an externally
threaded flexible spout member having a substantially cylindrical top rim
portion and an outer edge portion and extendable from a nested orientation to
a pouring orientation, an anchor ring for securing the outer edge portion of
the flexible spout member to the container, and a tamper-proof cap retained
by said anchor ring, wherein the improvement comprises: a resealable cap
disposed between said flexible spout member and said tamper-proof cap and
including an interior annular groove disposed adjacent a first end of said
resealable cap and opening downwardly toward the top rim portion of said
flexible spout member, said interior annular groove having a diameter size
substantially equal to the diameter size of said top rim portion and being
suitably arranged for widthwise receipt of said top rim portion therein, said
resealable cap being suitably internally threaded for receipt by said
externally threaded flexible spout member and further including a bail
handle for extending said flexible spout member from said nested orientation
to said pouring orientation when said resealable cap is threadedly received
by said flexible spout member.
One object of the present invention is to provide an improved
cap like container closure device.
Related objects and advantages of the present invention will be
apparent from the following description.
FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a cap-like container closure device
according to a typical embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a front elevation section view of the FIG. 1 cap-like
container closure device as taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a front elevation section view of an anchor ring
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114S7 16
comprising a portion of the FIG. 1 cap-like container closure device.
FIG. 4 is a front elevation section view of a tamper-proof cap
comprising a portion of the FIG. 1 cap-like container closure device.
FIG. 5 is a front elevation section view of a resealable cap
5a
114571~
comprising a portion of the FIG. 1 cap-like container closure
device.
FIG. Sa is a partial enlarged detail view of the FIG. 5 cap.
FIG. 6 is a front elevation section view of a flexible spout
comprising a portion of the FIG. 1 cap-like container closure
device.
FIG. 6a is a partial enlarged detail view of the FIG. 6 spout.
FIG. 7 is a front elevation section view of a venting unit
comprising a portion of the FIG. 1 cap-like container closure
device.
FIG. 8 is a front elevation view of the FIG. 7 venting unit.
FIG. 9 is a front elevation section view of a container opening
boss portion suitable for receiving the FIG. 1 cap-like container
closure device in a sealed arrangement.
FIG. 10 is an enlarged partial detailed view of a secondary seal
between the FIG. 5 resealable cap and the FIG. ~ flexible spout.
FIG. 11 is a front elevation section view of a combined
tamper-proof cap and resealable cap comprising an alternative
arrangement of the FIG. 1 cap-like container closure device.
FIG. 12 is a front elevation section view of the FIG. 11 cap
assembled into the FIG. 1 cap-like container closure device.
For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles
of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment
illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to
describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no
limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such
alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and
such further applications of the principles of the invention as
illustrated therein being contempla'ed as would normally occur to
one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is illustrated a cap-like
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closure device 20 which is attached to container 21 by means of an
outer peripheral seal arrangement. There are five component parts
which comprise cap-like container closure device 20 and these five
component parts are detailed in FIGS. 3-8. While the relationship
between these various component parts will be discussed with
reference to FIG. 2, reference should also be made to FIGS. 3-8 in
order to obtain a complete understanding of the individual component
part structures.
Container 21 includes a discharge opening 22 which is surrounded
by a raised annular boss 23 (see FIG. 9). Secured to this raised
annular boss by means of anchor ring 24 is a flexible spout member
25 which is shown in a nested orientation in FIG. 2. Flexible spout
member 25 includes an inner portion 26, an outer portion 27 and an
invertible fold portion therebetween. Disposed integrally with and
internal to inner portion 26 is a full-diameter integral seal 28
which includes a diaphragm 29 and an integral pull tab ring member
30. The outside diameter surface of inner portion 26 includes a
threaded portion 33 and a top rim portion 34. Although diaphragm 29
provides a temporary closure to inner portion 26, an upwardly
exerted force on pull tab ring member 30 enables diaphragm 29 to be
torn out and the seal is thus defeated. Repeated opening and
closing of the container is accomplished effectively by means of
resealable cap 35.
Resealable cap 35 has an internally threaded portion 36 of a
suitable diameter and pitch to engage with threaded portion 33, and
resealable cap 35 further includes an enclosing, full-diameter top
lip portion 37. Top lip portion 37 includes therein an interior
annular groove ~0 opening downwardly toward top rim portion 34 of
flexible spout member 25. The diameter measurement to the
centerline of interior annular groove 40 is substantially equal to
the diameter measurement to the centerline of top rim portion 34 and
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1~4S716
the respective width dimensions of groove 40 and rim portion 34 are
such so as to provide a snug fit. Due to the size and position
compatibilities of this arrangement, as resealable cap 35 is
threaded onto spout portion 26, top rim portion 34 will fit snugly
up within interior annular groove 40 as is illustrated by the
enlarged detail of FIG. 10. Interior annular groove 40 is
configured with a unique series of differently shaped portions which
will be described in greater detail hereinafter. Compatible with
these differently shaped portions is the design OL top lip portion
34 which includes an upwardly and outwardly inclined interior
surface 34a (see FIG. 6a) terminating in a somewhat sharp outer edge
34b.
In order to assure that chemicals and other supplies which are
shipped in containers fitted with a closure device similar to device
20 remain intact and are not tampered with, it is beneficial to have
a tamper-proof cap or similar component disposed over the outermost
portion of the closure device. In addition to preventing tampering
with the contents, such a cap also serves as an indication of
whether or not there have been attempts to tamper with the
container. A tamper-proof cap is illustrated by cap 41 whose outer
peripheral lip 42 is overlapped by the inner lip 43 of anchor ring
24. In the particular arrangement illustrated, tamper-proof cap 41
is not able to be removed from its retained position under the inner
lip of anchor ring 24 unless anchor ring 24 is deformed or in some
manner altered. In the exemplary embodiment top surface 44 is
continuous throughout and cap 41 is deformed by an inward prying
action. There is sufficient clearance as well as flexibility with
respect to resealable cap 35 to enable cap 41 to be worked free from
beneath inner lip 43.
However, in an alernative embodiment, tamper-proof cap 41 may
include a semi-severed tear-out portion disposed in its top surface
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and the material for tamper-proof cap 41 is a relatively thin-gauge
~metal or plastic, either one of which will tear upon being subjected
to a suitable pull force~ A typical tear-out portion includes a
centrally disposed tab having a free end which is suitable as to
size and location to be gripped by a conventional removal tool such
as a pair of pliers. When this tab is pulled on in an upwardly and
outwardly manner, toward the outside periphery of the tamper-proof
cap, the tear-out portion is actually torn away from the remainder
of the tamper-proof cap. The tamper-proof cap is then able to be
deformed and worked out from under the inner lip 43 of anchor ring
24, removed and discarded.
Joined to the inside surface of inner portion 26 is a generally
cylindrical venting unit 47 which includes an outwardly extending
flange 48, a raised annular edge 49 and a plurality of venting
apertures 50 which are disposed in a spaced apart relationship
around the circumference of raised annular edge 49. Venting unit 47
is secured to the inside diameter surface of inner portion 26 by
means of three tongues 51 which are heat-welded to the inside
surface or alternatively may be joined by a number of suitable
techniques such as the use of cement or adhesive. Venting unit 47
extends downwardly from its point of attachment to inner portion 26
a sufficient distance so as to position the uppermost surface of
edge 49 against the inside of flexible spout member 25 when spout
member 25 is fully extendined to a pouring orientation.
While the general relationship of the five component parts has
been discussed and referred to in FIG. 2, a description will now be
provided of each of these five component parts individually and the
specific structural features which are important to the functioning
of cap-like closure device 20.
Referring to FIG~ 3, anchor ring 24 is illustrated in greater
detail and the front elevation section view provided indicates the
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general structural and positional relationships between the inner
lip 43, the outer lip 56 and the three surfaces therebetween. Outer
surface 52 in combination with inner surface 53 and top surface 54
provide an inverted U-shaped annular groove which is compatibly
sized and arranged to fit over the annular mounting portion 55 of
flexible spout member 25 (see FIG. 6). The inside surface of inner
lip 43 defines a circular clearance opening 59.
Referring to FIG. 4, tamper-proof cap 41 is illustrated, and the
outside diameter size of raised portion 58 is just slightly smaller
than the diameter size of clearance opening 59 in anchor ring 24.
The stacked arrangement of FIGS. 3-7 is in effect an exploded view
of the illustrated component parts of FIG. 2 and as such the size
perspective relationships between the component parts is
approximately correct. It is intended to be illustrated that inner
lip 43 of anchor ring 24 overlaps outer peripheral lip 42 of
tamper-proof cap 41 as raised portion 58 extends upwardly through
clearance opening 59.
Referring to FIG. 5, resealable cap 35 is illustrated in greater
detail. As has been previously disclosed, resealable cap 35
includes an internal thread 36 and a top lip portion 37 which has
disposed therein an interior annular groove 40. Integral with top
lip portion 37 and positioned exterior thereto is a bail handle 60.
Handle 60 is arranged into two substantially semicircular portions
which are joined to the outer periphery of top lip portion 37 by
means of fingers 61 and 62 which are substantially diametrically
opposite to each other. The thickness of each bail handle portion
is reduced at the point of connection to fingers 61 and 62, and
these reduced-thickness portions resiliently bend when bail handle
60 is raised and pulled upwardly. The use of bail handle 60
provides a convenient means for the extending of flexible spout 25,
and the two bail handle por'ions actually pivot upwardly and
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inwardly whereby they are drawn together during the extension of the
spout.
At this point it should be understood that the FIG. 2
orientation of flexible spout 25 was a nested orientation yet this
flexible spout is-extendable upwardly into a pouring orientation and
this extending action is easily achieved by the use of bail handle
60. Of course, it is important that the resealable cap be
threadedly engaged OlltO inner portion 26 when bail handle 60 is
utilized.
Interior annular groove 40 is actually configured into three
portions (see FIG. 5a). First portion 63 is of an enlarged,
inwardly tapering shape terminating into intermediate portion 64.
The third portion 67 (the base of groove 40) includes a slanted
outer surface 67a and a curved inner surface 67b. The configuration
of these surfaces and their position relative to the remainder of
groove 40 and rim portion 34 enhance the integrity of the secondary
seal. While all portibns are positioned between depending lip 65
and generally cylindrical skirt portion 66, the inwardly tapering
configuration enables a type of self-alignment for top rim portion
34 of inner portion 26 as the resealable cap is threadedly mated
with inner portion 26. As outer edge 34b advances upwardly into
groove 40, it is directed inwardly into portion 64 and although
there is a snug fit between portion 34 and portion 64, this fit
becomes even tighter as edge 34b advances into portion 67. Due to
the reduced width size of portion 67, edge 34b curls or bends
inwardly until achieving the FIG. 10 configuration. This force fit
between portion 67 and edge 34b provides a secure secondary seal
regardless of minor tolerance and dimensional variations often found
with plastic parts. FIG. 10 is an illustration of the resealable
cap in full engagement with the spout member and it is this full
threaded engagement which assures a tight fit of edge 34b into
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l~S7.16
portion 67. Skirt portion 66 extends downwardly from top lip
portion 37 to an extended length which is sufficient to place the
lower part of skirt portion 66 within annular open area 69 between
inner portion 26 and outer portion 27 when flexible spout member 25
is in a nested orientation (see FIG. 6).
Referring to FIG. 6, flexible spout member 25 is illustrated in
greater detail. Although a majority of the various structural
characteristics and features of flexible spout member 25 have
previously been discussed, it is to be noted that diaphragm 29 is
joined to the internal surface of inner portion 26 by a
reduced-thickness annular membrane 70 which extends in a circular
path between the outer edge of diaphragm 29 and the inside diameter
of inner portion 26 and has the general appearance of a notch
resulting in a reduced material thickness. It is this
reduced-thickness annular membrane 70 which actually tears apart
when pull tab ring member 30 is pulled upwardly in order to defeat
the seal and open the container.
Pull tab ring member 30 is connected to diaphragm 29 by means of
a dual-branch raised stem member 71 which is integral with both
diaphragm 29 and pull tab ring member 30. Although raised stem
member 71 is disposed very close to the interior wall of inner
portion 26 and is difficult to grip, stem member 71 is not the part
which must be gripped in order to tear out diaphragm 29 and thereby
defeat integral seal 28. Rather, it is pull tab ring member 30
which is used, and member 30 is elevated above diaphragm 29 and is
substantially parallel therewith and extends from raised stem member
71 in a circular ring around the inside diameter of inner portion
26. Therefore, member 30 is readily accessible for being gripped
manually by placing the index finger inside and underneath the ring
shape of member 30. The particular configuration of pull tab ring
member 30 in combination with raised stem member 31 and diaphragm 29
114S716
provides an improved seal removal arrangement in that the pull tab
member is more accessible and the seal may be defeated without the
need of pliers or other tools.
Referring to FIG. 7, venting unit 47 is illustrated in greater
detail. A majority of the features of this unit has been previously
described, but it is to be pointed out that the tongues 51 have a
two-part configuration. The first portion or part 72 extends
upwardly from flange 48 and is substantially perpendicular to flange
48. Second portion or part 73 is integral with first part 72 and is
inclined inwardly toward the centerline of venting unit 47.
The front elevation view of FIG. 8 further aids the
understanding of the particular structure of this component part,
and it should be apparent that as inner portion 26 is pulled from
its nested orientation to an extended pouring orientation, that the
venting unit 47 will be drawn into proper position within the
pouring spout. Then, as the container is tilted through various
pouring orientations, the contents of the container will pass both
through venting apertures 50 as well as through the central
clearance portion 74. The contents of the container will pass
through those venting apertures 50 which are submerged and those
apertures which are not submerged will allow venting air to pass
therethrough. Venting apertures 50 are spaced to provide
substantially equal venting area per unit of peripheral length
around the raised annular edge 49 of venting unit 47 and thus
venting unit 47 may be installed onto flexible spout 25 without
requiring the installer to first orient or register the venting unit
with respect to the flexible spout.
Referring to FIG. 9, raised annular boss 23 of container 21
includes a top rim 77, a flanged margin 78 and an annular groove 79
therebetween. It is also to be noted that the annular mounting
portion 55 of flexible spout member 25 includes an inverted U-shaped
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11~57~
annular groove 80 (see Figure 6) and it is this groove which
accepts top rim 77 of container boss 23. Once this mating en-
gagement is achieved, anchor ring 24 is placed over annular
mounting portion 55 and is crimped thereto at which time top
rim 77 is securely sandwiched within annular groove 80 thereby
providing a fluid-tight, rigid seal between the cap-like con-
tainer closure device 20 and the container 21.
A further embodiment of the disclosed invention involves
a unique combination of the concepts of tamper-proof cap 41
and resealable cap 35. Illustrated in Figures 11 and 12 is a
single cap member ~0 which is resealable onto spout member 25
and provides a means of tamper-proof indication. Cap member 90
includes a pull ring 91 secured to flange 92 by stem 93.
Flange 92 is configured with an outer rim portion 94 and an
intermediate portion 95 which is located around resealable cap
96. United States Patent No. 3,804,3Q5 issued April 16, 1974
to Rieke discloses a concept similar in certain respects.
Referring to Figure 12, cap member 90 is illustrated
in assembled combination with the remaining component parts of
closure device 20. Outer rim portion 94 is securely sandwiched
between inner lip 43 of anchor ring 24 and mounting portion 55
of spout member 25. Intermediate portion 95 is disposed interior
of the innermost extent of lip 43 such that when a sufficient
lifting force is applied to pull ring 91, the pull ring 91, stem
93 and intermediate portion 95 are separated from cap member 90
thus allowing removal of resealable cap 96.
A further detail of cap member 9.0 should be noted and
this involves the location of the bail handle for extension of
flexible spout member 25. With the combining of the tamper-
3U proof and resealable cap concepts, pull ring 91 occupies thespace previously occupied by handle 60. Consequently, handle 97
is disposed interior
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to resealable cap 96 and is ring-shaped for easy manual gripping.
Container closure device 20 provides a unique combination of
features not herebefore provided in a single unit. Each of the
various structural component parts have been arranged and designed
to both achieve their prior beneficial improvements and advantages
while remaining compatible with yet other improvements and
advantages for which they are a contributing factor. In addition to
achieving a first-time accumulation of all beneficial container
closure device improvement features, the present invention also
provides additional improvement advantages. One additional
advantage is the providing of a very secure and tight secondary seal
by means of the engagement of outer edge 34b of top rim portion 34
within portion 67 of interior annular groove 40. The configuration
of groove 40 results in the providing of depending lip 65 and the
size and location of this lip results in greater rigidity to the
cap. Another improvement provided by the present invention is the
configuration and positioning of pull tab ring member 30. This ring
member is easily accessible and usable to manually rupture the
diaphragm to defeat integral seal 28, and thus obviates the need for
a cutting or rupturing tool. A still further improvement is the
incorporation into a single cap member both the tamper-proof cap
concept and the resealable cap concept.
While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail
in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be
considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it
being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown
and described and that all changes and modifications that come
wit,hin the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.
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